It happens to me all the time with film. Imperfections. The focus is off, the film is bad, exposure is all wrong, there is a light leak - whatever the reason may be, and I toss it aside, vowing to learn from my "mistake".

And then, while rummaging through my film drawer, I come across a photo again. But this time, it speaks to me in a way it never did before. Sure, the technical aspects are all wrong, but the feeling, the emotion at the time the image was captured, is all right.

I took these photos almost two years ago, I was pregnant with my 3rd daughter. I didn't take "official" maternity photos. I remember taking these myself, with film, and not being satisfied with them for one reason or another, and tossing them aside. I believe my favorite photo from this pregnancy was actually this one taken with my iPhone!

But now, looking back - I see them in an entirely different light.

The beautiful curve of my body that brought life into this world, untouched and real. I am immediately taken back to that moment.

And oh my, how sweet and raw those first newborn days are. These images forever capture that emotion for me.

So I didn't share these for one reason or another when they were taken. But here they are now - untouched and not perfect.

This is why I shoot film. Because even in their "imperfections", there is beauty.